Dredge.



`W. F. HOWE. DB'EDGE.

Arrmouxox FILED 12123.25, 1909.

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Patented oct; 25,1910.

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W. F. HOWE.

DRBDGE.

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W. F. Hows.

DREDGE.

APPLICATION FILED IEB. 25, 1909.

Patented oef-,.25g1910.

' Arronmfrs TH: Nmzms PETERS co WILLIAM F. HOWE, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DREDGE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 25, 1909.

Patented Oct. 25, 1910.

Serial No. 480,021.

To all 'whom it may concern: p

Be it known that I, WILLIAM F. HOWE,

a citizen of the United States, residing atf Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dredges, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in dredges, and more particularly to suction dredges wherein material is drawn from the point of excavation through a suction pipe as a result of a reduction of pressure in said pipe by an exhauster.

One of the salient objects of my invention is to provide a dredge having a suction pipe movable to change its level of operation, as by vertical oscillation, arranged to extend practically to the point of excavation, and a suction head or mouth piece rotatable on the suction pipe and vertically movable therewith, wherein the suction head is given a rotary movement with reference to the pipe axis while it is vertically moving with the suction pipe.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a structure wherein the rotary movements of the suction or cutting mouth, imparted thereto during movements of the suction pipe, both upward and downward, position said mouth for presentation to the work, so that the dredge works on both the upward and downward courses of thecycle of movement of its suction pipe.

Further objects of my invention are to provide a single actuating mechanism for imparting the desired movements to both the suction pipe and cutter mouth; to provide for adjustments of parts to vary the lateral direction of the cut, its vertical extent and its vertical position; and advantageously to position the motive parts.

. Other objects of my invention are to provide improvements in general and in detail, to produce a simple and highly eflicient dredge of the character described; and further objects will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein I have illustrated a single embodiment of my invention. and wherein;

Figure l is aside elevation of parts of a dredge; Fig. 2 is a plan view of the suction pipe and associated devices with parts in section; F 1g. 3 is an end elevation likewise with parts 1n section.

Throughout the drawings like numerals of reference refer always to like parts.

In the embodiment of my invention shown, I provide in general a hull adapted to bear the suction apparatus and other appliances of the dredge, having connected therewith for vertical movement about a horizontal pivotalaxis, a suction pipe, equipped with a rotatable suction mouth, disposed generally at an angle to the axis of the suction pipe, and preferably having its end shaped to constitute a cutting agency. u To provide means for vertically oscillating the suction pipe, on its horizontal axis, and also rotatably moving the suction mouth with respect to the axis of the pipe during 1 the bodily movement of the latter, Ipreferably provide a single device operatively connected with the cutter mouth, and servmg to move the latter with the pipe vertically and bodily, and during such kmovement also to impart to the cutter head partial rotation about the axis of the pipe, so that the latter is presented always in position to make an effective cut during either the upward or downward course of the cycle of movement of the pipe. Such instrumentality preferably consists of a rotatable element, having connected thereto on different radii, preferably at equal distances from the axis of rotation, links or connecting rods, at their opposite ends attached to points on the cutter or suction head on opposite sides or the longitudinal axis of the pipe, so that the rotation of said element through its connections imparts bodily movement to the cutter head oscillating said head about the pipe axis and also oscillating the suction pipe on its horiwill not be affected by such variations in the extent or location of the field of operation of t-he cutter head. Also I prefer that the head shall be adjustable rotatably on the pipe and reversible thereon; that is, arranged for such change in position as to cut either to starboard or to port.

In the particular construction shown 10 indicates in general the hull of a dredge, provided with a forwardly projecting frame structure 11, decked as at 12, and as bestV shown in Fig. 2, of suitable shape to provide bearings for parts to be described.

13 indicates in general a suction pipe, at its rear end provided with a fitting 14, which which may be cast integrally therewith and an elbow portion 14, the fitting 14 and el-A bow 14 being pivotally mounted in suitable bearings 15, 15 provided by the frame 11, so that the pipe may have vertical oscillation about its point of support.

16 indicates a stationary continuation of the suction pipe, with which the pipe portion 14 makes suitable connection through a stufling box or other packing.

17 indicates a V-shaped brace, having its feet pivotally connected as at 18, 18 with suit-able parts of the frame 11, on the same pivotal axis as the suction pipe, and its angle or point suitably secured to a collar 19 surrounding and clamped to the suction pipe somewhat in rear of its extremity.

The interior of the suction pipe 13 is provided with a removable lining 20, (Fig. 2,) for protection against wear, and within the lining is inserted the stem portion 24 of a mouthpiece, generally indicated by a numeral 25, said mouth-piece being deflected to angular relation to the axis of the suction pipe, and preferably having its mouth properly shaped for cutting operations. This cutting-mouth member or head is mounted for rotary movement with respect to the pipe upon an axis of rotation coincident with the axis of the pipe, and to this end the head is provided with an annular ball-racemem ber 27 opposing a corresponding race 28- formed upon the extremity of the pipe 13, for the reception of interposed anti-friction balls 29.

30 indicates a yoke loosely mounted for relative rotation upon the exterior of pipe 13, provided with outwardly extending arms 31 for connection with the operating links to be described. The yoke 30 is arranged to carry therewith in rotation the suction head 25, but the latter is arranged for independent rotary adjustment with respect to the yoke, and to these ends connection is afforded between the members by a worm gearing, whereof, in the particular illustration shown, 33 indicates the gear, secured to the exterior of the head, concentric to its axis of rotationand preferably integral with ball-race-member 27, and 34 indicates the worm mounted in a housing 35 suitably secured to the yoke 30. The shaft 36 for the worm is provided with a spool 37, whereon is wound and secured a cable 38 one course of which passes over a suitable pulley 39, and both courses of which pass alongside of the suction pipe 13 to the frame 11. There the cable courses pass under independentpulleys, 40-40 mounted on a shaft close to the pivotal axis of pipe 13, whence such cables 38 may extend upward over a suitable drum 41, manually operable by handle 42. Obviously as handle 42 is rotated, cable 38 is moved, to turn the spool 37, and through worm gearing 34 and 33, to adjust the head 25 rotatably upon the suction pipe.

Upon the arms 31 of the yoke 30 are provided removable ears 45, 45, to which are pivotally connected the forked extremities of the connecting rods 46 and 46 respectively. Said connection rods extend upwardly, and at their rear ends are adjustably secured by bolts 47 passing through holes 47 in the rods, to crank pins 48, 48 pivotally carried by the cranks 49 and 49. Said cranks are mounted for rotary adjustment on a common transverse shaft 5() bearing in journals 51 carried by a supporting box-beam 52, and the shaft is driven in rotation by suitable means, as a worm gear 53 and a worm 53 connected with a suitable source of power. The points of connection of rods 46, 46 with the rotatable element whereby they are moved, should be at the same radial distance from the shaft but on different radii, in angular relation to each other, and preferably such points of connection should be radially adjustable. To this end I prefer that the crank pins 48 and 48 should be mounted pivotally in bearing members or blocks 54, 54 respectively, adjustable radially on their cranks and positioned in different adjustments by bolts 55 taking through suitable apertures whereof a series is provided in each of the crank arms 49 and 49.

I prefer that the vertical field of action of the cutter-head shall be varied with respect to the plane of the hull 10 without. change in the adjustment of the cutvtenhead and its actuating devices, and to this end I mount the beam 52 for vertical oscillation, and arrange the device for transmitting power to the shaft 50 for movement with the beam 52, so that its relation to shaft 50 is not affected by movements of the beam.

Specifically 60 indicates a motor, shown as a dynamo electric machine, mounted in a sub-frame 61, carried by the rear end of the beam 52, and direct connected through shaft 63 with the worm 53, which serves to drive the actuating shaft 50 for the cutter-head and pipe moving connections through engagement with worm gear 53. The beam 52 is mounted intermediate its ends upon a pivot 64, suitably supported upon'thedeck 12 ofthe hull construction, the arrangement being preferably such that the motor 60 acts as a counter-weight to a greater or less extent for the cutter-head actuating devices and the suction pipe. Any suitable mechanism may be provided for vertically elevating or depressing the outer extremity of the beam 52, the construction which I havey herein indicated comprising an arcuate rack 65 mounted on the inboard extremity of the beam 52, having in mesh therewith a pinion 66, mounted on a shaft 67 in common with the worm wheel 68 driven by a worm 69 connected through shaft 7 O with any suitable motor, not shown.

In the operation of the apparatus described, it will be apparent that rotation of the crank 42 winding up one of the cables 88 and paying out the other imparts rotation to spool 87 and its connected worm 34, to rotatably adjust the cutter head 25 with respect to the suction pipe 13, without changing the position of any other parts. Thus if it be desired that the dredge cut to port the cutter-head is turned so that its mouth is in such position that during the operating movements of the cutter head, hereafter described, the mouth rotates from practically a vertical presentation toward a more horizontal presentation, to scoop up material. Obviously the head will be turned in the opposite direction to make the cut to starboard, as shown in Fig. l. `Now assuming the parts to be in the general position shown in Fig. 1, when the motor is started in proper direction to cause the worm 53" to drive the worm gear 53 and shaft 50, in the direction indicated by the arrow, the crank pins 48 and 48 will first move through arcs vsuch that the verticle component of movement of pin 48 is less than the\vertical component of movement of pin 48, so that while the suction pipe as a whole will be elevated slightly above the position shown, the cutter head will start in a rotary movement with its top turning from left to right as viewed from the hull. After the pin 48 passes the top of its circle of movement the cutting mouth-will turn downward, as the pin 48 moves down, while pin 48 approaches the top of the circle, and then further rotation of the shaft 50 and the connected cranks 49 and 49 imparts a downward motion to the entire suction pipe structure with but little rotative movement of the mouth, until the pin 48 approaches the bottom of its arc. Then the mouth is again reversed. Thus during each rotation of the actuating mechanism the suction pipe, as a whole, is moved vertically through a range of given extent, and the cutter head is given an additional and independent oscillating mot-ion, turning its mouth down on the downstroke and up on the up-stroke, the turning movement of the cuttery head occurring principally at'the ends of the suction pipe movement, and during the dwells which occur at each end of such suction pipe motion, and, conversely, the maximum movementof the suction pipe taking place during the interval when the cutter head is substantially at rest as regards rotation about the suction pipe axis. Thus, broadly stated rotation of the' single actuating structure imparts oscillation in a'vertical plane to the suction pipe andv oscillation about the pipe axis to the suction head.

Obviously by adjustment of the cranks 49 and 49 to varying angular positions with respect to each other, the range or rotary adjustment imparted to the cutter head may be varied, and by adjustment of the axial distance of the pivotal points 48, 48 from the shaft 50, the range of oscillation of the suction pipe about its pivotal axis may be varied, each adjustment being independent of the other. Furthermore it will be apparent that by adjustment of the angular relation of beam 52 to the hull of the boat the range of operations of the cutter head and pipe may be arranged in elevation without variation of the adjustment between the cutter head and pipe and their operating means, so that great flexibility in the arrangement of operating conditions is insured by the construction described.

While I have herein described in some detail a specic embodiment of my invention, which is practical in arrangement and design, itrwill be understood that variousv changes may be made in the embodiment of my invention without departure from the spirit and scope, and I do not desire to be understood as limiting my invention to the particular mechanical vconstruction shown and described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is; f

1. In a dredging apparatus providing a hull, the combination of ay suction pipe, a suction head provided with a mouth, means operable from and contained on the hull for oscillating the pipe in a vertical plane and cotemporaneously oscillating the head with respect to the axis of the pipe.

2. In a dredging apparatus providing a hull, the combination of a suction pipe, a suction head rotatably movable about the axis of the pipe and provided with a mouth at an angle to the pipe axis, and means operable from and contained on the hull for operation to elevate and lower said pipe and in such operation simultaneously oscillating the head with respect to the pipe axis.

3. In a dredging apparatus, the combination of a suction pipe, mounted for vert-ical oscillation, a suction head mounted for oscillation about the axis of said pipe, and a rotatable actuating element connected with said parts to both oscillatethe -pipe in a iso vertical plane and oscllate the suction head with respect to the pipe axis cotemporaneously.

4L. In a dredging apparatus, a suction pipe, a suction head having its mouth opening at an angle to said pipe, and means automatically operable upon operation of the dredge for rotatably adjusting said suction head on the pipe to turn said mouth in the direction of the vertical travel of the pipe.

5. In a dredge, a hull, a suction pipe pivotally connected to said hull,'a cutter head mounted on said suction pipe for rotation with respect thereto, and means involving a rotatable element for oscillating the pipe and simultaneously rotatably oscillating said cutter head.

G. In a dredge, a suction pipe mounted for vertical oscillation, a suction head mounted for rotation with respect to the suction pipe, and a wheel and connecting elements for oscillating the suction head with respect to the suction pipe, and vertically oscillating the suction pipe.

7. In a dredge, a suction pipe, a suction head, mounted for rotation with respect to the suction pipe, means involving a rotatable element and connecting means for oscillating the cutter head with respect to the suction pipe, means for rotatably adjusting said cutter head with respect to the means by which it is oscillated.

S. In a dredge, a hull, a suction pipe mounted for oscillation with respect to its point of connection with the hull, a cutter head mounted for oscillation with respect to said pipe, means involving a rotatable element and connecting elements for so oscillating said cutter head, and an adjustable attachment between the rotatable element and the connecting elements operable from the hull, for varying the functional oscillation of the cutter head with respect to the pipe.

9. In a dredge, a suction pipe provided with a removable lining and a suction head provided with a cylindrical stem extending within the lining and a bearing member' for cooperation with the outer edge of the lining to provide a thrust bearing for the suction head in rotary movementsI thereof.

10. In a` dredge, the combination of a hull, a suction pipe pivotally mounted in said hull for oscillation in a vertical plane, a suction head connected with said pipe for oscillation about the pipe axis, a rotatable actuating structure, and connections between portions of said rotatable actuating structure on different radii thereof, and points on opposite sides of axial line of the cutter head, whereby rotation of said actuating structure both oscillates the suction pipe vertically and oscillates the suction head on the pipe.

1l. In a dredge, a hull, a suction pipe connected with said hull for oscillation in a vertical plane, a cutter head arranged at an angle to said suction pipe, connected with said pipe for oscillation about the axis of the pipe, a rotatable actuating structure mounted upon said suction pipe, and a pair of connecting rods joining points on opposite sides of the axis of the cutter head, with points on dierent radii of the rotatable structure, and means for rotating said actuating structure.

12. In a dredge providing a hull and a portion for oscillation thereon, the combination of a suction pipe, actuating means upon said oscillating portion of the hull for oscillating said pipe in a vertical plane, and oscillating the said head about the pipe axis, and means for oscillating said oscillating portionto vary the location of the zone of operation of the suction devices.

13. In a dredging apparatus, a hull, a suction pipe pivotally connected to said hull for oscillation in a vertical plane, means connected to the pipe for vertically oscillating said pipe, a structure carried by the hull for Vertical oscillation whereon said oscillating means are mounted, and means for raising and lowering said structure.

14. In a dredging apparatus, a hull, a beam mounted for oscillation thereon, means for oscillating said beam, a motor carried by said beam, a rotatable actuating apparatus positively connected with said motor and driven thereby, likewise mounted on said beam, a suction pipe mounted for oscillation in a vertical plane, a cutter head mounted for oscillation with respect to the axis of the pipe, operative connection between said parts and the actuating member whereby the latter oscillates both the pipe and the cutter head.

15. In a dredge, a hull, a suction pipe thereon, a head rotatable on the pipe, an actuating shaft, bars connected with the head on opposite sides of the pipe axis, and means for connecting said bars with the shaft on different radii and at variable distance from the shaft axis.

16. In a dredge, a suction pipe, a head thereon comprising a yoke rotatable with respect to the pipe and a cutter mouth structure rotatably adjusted on the yoke, a worm wheel on the cutter mouth structure, a worm mounted on the yoke for engagement with said wheel, and means for rotating the worm to vary the rotary relation of the yoke and the cutter mouth.

17. In a dredge, a suction pipe, a rotatable part, a head thereon, a worm wheel on the head, a worm mounted on the rotatable part for engagement with said wheel, a housing for the worm and gear, and means for rotating the worm to vary the rotary relation of the yoke and the cutter mouth.

18. In a dredge, a hull, a beam thereon,

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two Witnesses.

WILLIAM F. HOWE.

In the presence of- FORE BAIN, MARY F. ALLEN.

pivotally mounted between its ends, a suction pipe, actuating means for oscillating said pipe, carried by the outer end 0f the beam, a motor for driving the actuatingl 5 means, on the inner end of the beam, acting also as a counterweiglit, and means for adjusting the beam rotarily on its pivots. 

